Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Wed 17: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £29.00 (inc. bf). ‘Festive Lunch’. VCJ on stage 12 noon (three sets 'til 4:00pm).
Wed 17: Lazy River Band @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Veronica Perrin, Chris Perrin, John Farragher, Phil Rutherford
Wed 17: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 17: Paul Skerritt @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Wed 17: A Jazzy Xmas @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Kyran Matthews (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flute, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone);Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums).
Wed 17: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 18: Paul Skerritt @ YOLO, Ponteland. 7:00pm. ‘Swing & Jazz Night’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 18: Joe Steels & Friends @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:30pm. Free (donations).

Fri 19: Fraser Urquhart @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! .
Fri 19: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free..
Fri 19: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00..
Fri 19: Castillo Nuevo @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:00pm. Free. .
Fri 19: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy..
Fri 19: Paul Skerritt @ Middlesbrough Town Hall. 7:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes. .
Fri 19: Giles Strong Quartet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club..
Fri 19: Creakin’ Bones & the Xmas Dinners @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £13.01 (inc. bf)..
Fri 19: Mark Toomey Quintet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Join in and make music at Sage Gateshead

(Press release)
Sage Gateshead’s music making and learning programme invites you to join in and make music with them – the Autumn term starts Monday 22 September and with more activities on offer than ever before, you’re sure to find something that’s right for you.
The Adult Programme provides a range of vocal and instrumental classes, whether you’re starting from scratch or reigniting your passion for singing or playing.
New for the 2014/15 Adult Programme - the Harmonize choir is the perfect introduction to music from around the world, discover jazz, pop and gospel music with Old Town Voices or join the Adult Rock Band and explore rock, pop and soul through the decades from 50s rock ‘n’ roll to modern pop hits.
Programme favourite, In the Groove, is for aspiring rock and pop singers - learn fun and funky arrangements of well known pop, rock and chart classics and even perform with visiting artists at Sage Gateshead throughout the year.
If you prefer folk music, then Folkworks Tuesday is the perfect place to start or to develop your vocal, instrumental, and percussive dance skills. All classes take place on Tuesday evening and create a welcoming community of folk musicians of all ability levels. There are a range of new folk classes for 2014/15 including the Folk Choir which features guest tuition from Eliza Carthy.
The Silver Programme provides a range of vocal and instrumental classes for people over 50 in a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced player it’s a brilliant way to meet great people and make great music. 
Whether you’re interested in singing classic and contemporary rock & pop songs, blues, jazz & gospel music or Broadway classics, there are a range of singing classes to choose from. There are also informal singing groups taking place throughout the region, as well as at Sage Gateshead, and with no experience necessary this is a good starting point if you’re not sure which singing style is for you.
For instrumentalists, why not join the Silver Skiffle Band  - a traditional skiffle band playing 20s-30s blues plus American and English folk songs, or learn basic mandolin, banjo and ukulele skills in roots/folk bandBeginner Bluegrass or even join a Mandolin Orchestra.
New for the 2014/15 Silver Programme - join the Classic Rock group and be part of a rock and pop band covering classic songs; Or join the Silver Sax group and gain experience of playing saxophone with others.
Susanna Wolfe, Head of Lifelong Learning at Sage Gateshead said: Whether you want to sing or play an instrument, whether you’re an experienced musician or an absolute beginner, there’s something for everyone at Sage Gateshead
Autumn term begins Monday 22 September. For a full list of classes please visit sagegateshead.com. Classes take place at Sage Gateshead and Gateshead Old Town Hall. Silver Singers take places in various locations in the region. Classes can be booked in person at Sage Gateshead, by phone on 0191 443 4661 or online at sagegateshead.com


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